Foundation garment



March 31, 1959 Filed May 20, 1957 FIG.3

FIG.2

M. BELL FOUNDATION GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. Mildred 15w! ATTO R N EYS March 31, 1959 M. BELL FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed May 20, 1957 I 2 Shets-SlNeet 2 FIG. 4 FIG; 5

INVEN TOR. MZ/red fiel/ Y 6% M ATTO RN EYS .to and compatible with United States Patent FOUNDATION GARMENT Mildred Bell, Staten Island, NY. Application May 20, 1957, Serial No. 660,200 14 Claims. (Cl. 128--524) This invention relates to a foundation garment.

Pursuant to the present invention, there is provided a foundation garment wherein the predominant lines of tens on therein run in a direction in line with or approximating the direction of the muscles on the body of the wearer, particularly that of the long flat muscles that extend along the whole length of the abdomen and namedRectus Abdominus, that of the oblique external muscles of the abdomen, and that of the Gluteus maximus muscles on the back of the body.

Insufficient use of these abdominal muscles allows the front of the pelvis to slope downward, the back of the pelvis to swing outward and upward and the curves of the spine to be increased, all of which results in extremely poor posture. The present invention provides a foundation garment wherein the lines of tension approximate the direction of said muscles, thus aiding and complementing the use thereof, and consequently causing the body to be supported in a natural way avoiding pressures on the diaphragm and other parts of the body and thus grvmg the wearer of said garment a normal, natural, youthful and healthy figure and appearance.

When the wearer of the foundation garment is seated or assumes a bending position, the stretch direction in sa d garment being complementary to that of the muscles being contracted, there is in addition no resulting riding down of said garment. Likewise, there is no riding up of the leg portions of said garment due to the stretch direction of the garment fabric around the legs.

In order to achieve the foregoing advantages, the foundation garment according to the present invention comprises two main body portions made of elastic fabric for the left and right side of the body, respectively, and having greater stretching properties circumferentially thereof than longitudinally thereof, and a panel for each of said main body portions superposed thereon and havmg greater stretching properties longitudinally thereof than circumferentially thereof. The shape and location ofthese panels is such that when the garment is worn, these panels overlie. the rectus abdominus muscles, the

vgluteus maximus muscles and the oblique external muscles of the abdomen of the wearer thereof. The combination of tensions .of each panel and the body portion on which it is superposed is such as to produce resultingtensions in the garment having directions complementary those of the muscles which said panels overlie.

Pursuant to another feature of this invention, garter attachments may be provided in the foundation garment in such manner as to obviate discomfort to the wearer by the pull of the garters on-the garment. Also provision is made for attaching the garter tabs at the inner side of the garment thus preventing the formation of visible garter bulges when a close fitting outer garment is worn.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel foundation garment wherein the predominant lines of tension therein run in a direction in line with or approximating that of the muscles of the body of the wearer thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foundation garment which will support the wearer's body in a natural way while preventing unnatural pressures from being exerted on the wearers diaphragm and other parts of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foundation garment having garter tabs attached on the inner side thereof to prevent formation of garter bulges visible on the wearers outer garment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garter attachment in a foundation garment in such a manner as to obviate discomfort to the wearer by the pull. of the garter on the garment.

The above and other objects, features \and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a panty girdle embodying the invention, schematically illustrated on a wearer;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a rear view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the outer side of the left side part of the girdle;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the outer side of the right side part of the girdle;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the inner side of the right side part of the girdle;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the girdle off the wearer, the front and back being partly spaced for illustration puroses; p Fig. 8 is a top view of the girdle as shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 4 there is shown left side garment forming assembly 10 comprising a main body portion 12 having upper edge 14,. lower edge 16, upper right side edge 18 being inwardly concave, upper left side edge 20, and lower side edges 22 and 24. A panel 26 is secured to the inside surface of main body portion 12, in the upper region thereof, as by stitching along upper seam 28 and lower seam 30. The stitching at said seams may be of a zig-zag type so as not to impair the stretchability of the garment along said seams. As can readily be observed, panel 26 is of irregular configuration for reasons to be advanced hereinafter. Garter attachments 32 and 34 are secured to garment forming assembly 10, at the inside surface thereof, as hereinafter more particularly described.

Main body portion 12 is formed of an elastic fabric and has greater stretchability laterally than vertically thereof. Panel 26, on the other hand, in the position is is secured onto main body portion, has greater stretchability in a direction vertically thereof than laterally thereof. Consequently, the combination of main body portion 12 and panel 26 provides garment forming assembly 10 with lines of tension and stretch running in predetermined directions for reasons to be explained hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 5 there is shown right side garment forming assembly 40, which is an exact mirror symmetry duplicate of right side garment forming assembly 10 of Fig. 4. Said right side garment forming assembly comprises a main body portion 42 having upper edge 44, lower edge 46, upper left side edge 48 being inwardly concave, upper right side edge 50, and lower side edges 52 and 54. A panel 56 is secured to the inside lower seam 60. Fig. 6, showing the inner surface of right side garment forming assembly, illustrates clearly the securement of panel 56 to main body portion 42 and the securement of garter attachments 62 and 64 as hereinafter described.

As shown in Fig. 7, the foundation garment 8 according to the invention is formed by securing left side garment forming assembly 10 of Fig. 4 to right side garment forming assembly 40 of Fig. in the following manner. Upper side edges 18 and 48 are stitched together thus forming a rear central vertical seam 76 extending from the waistline 72 to the crotch region. Upper side edges 20 and 50 are stitched together thus forming front central vertical seam 70 extending from the waistline 72 to the crotch region 74. Lower side edges 22 and 24 are secured to each other to form leg portion 80 and lower side edges 52 and 54 are stitched together to form leg portion 78. As can readily be seen from the inner concavity of upper side edges 20 and 50, seam 70 will provide the garment 8 with a concave inward curvature in the region which overlies the abdomen. As is further apparent in Fig. 7, panels 26 and 56 comprise side portions 82 and 84, respectively, which extends over the hip region of the garment, a front portion which extends down to the crotch region, and a rear portion which substantially covers the buttocks. Side portions 82 and 84 of panels 26 and 56 are shorter in the longitudinal extent thereof than the front and back portions.

The girdle formed of the sub-assemblies illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a main body part which is compressively elastic circumferentially of the wearer, and the fabric with which the parts 26 and 56 are laminated and which form said main body part have a greater stretch circumferentially than vertically. On the other hand, the elastic fabric of said parts 26 and 56 have a greater stretch vertically than circumferentially of the wearer. Thus, the stretch resistance of panel parts 26 and 56 in a circumferential direction augments the stretch resistance of the underlying portions of the main body parts 12 and 42 in a circumferential direction.

The garment is thereby of such construction that when it is on the wearer, the tensions on the front and back laminated portions of the girdle complement each other so as to provide the proper control on the underlying portions respectively of the body, without resulting in excessive or uncomfortable pressure on said body portions of the wearer. As a result of this complemental action, the abdomen of the wearer is drawn upwardly and inwardly in conformity with natural formation pursuant to correct muscular control, and similarly, the buttocks of the wearer are drawn upwardly in conformity with natural formation under correct muscular action.

Insuflicient use of the abdominal muscles referred to above allows the front of the pelvis to slope downward, the back of the pelvis to swing outward and upward, and the curves of the spine to be increased, all of which results in extremely poor posture. Accordingly, in the foundation garment herein described, the lines of tension approximate the direction of action of said muscles, thus aiding and complementing the use thereof, and consequently, causing the body to be supported in a natural way avoiding unnatural pressures on the diaphragm and other parts of the body and thus giving the wearer of said garment a normal, natural, youthful and healthy figure and appearance.

As is further readily apparent, the portion of the garment which surrounds the wearers legs have predominant stretchability in a direction circumferentially of said legs and accordingly, there is no resulting riding up of the leg portions.

In accordance with the present invention, the front garter attachments 32 and 62 are secured to the panel members 26 and 56, respectively, without being directly secured to the overlying part of the girdle, as illustrated in Fig. 5 with reference to the front garter attachment 62, the front garter attachment 32 being secured in the same manner to panel member 26. Because of this arrangement of the front garter attachments, the tension of the garters when on the wearer, is exerted in such direction that when the wearer is seated the front portions of the girdle in the region of the garter attachmens are drawn away from the underlying portions of the wearers body so as to greatly reduce or eliminate discomfort which otherwise occurs with the conventional garter attachments. The back garter attachments 34 and 64 are also preferably attached to the lower edges of the panel members 26 and 56, respectively, in the same manner as the front garter attachments 32 and 62. Furthermore, because the garter attachments are located on the inside of said garment the garter tabs will not form visible garter bulges when a close fitting outer garment is worn.

It will be understood that panels 26 and 56 may equally well be secured to main body members 12 and 42 on the outer surfaces thereof, respectively. The resulting lines of stretch in the garment will be the same as if panel 26 and 56 had been secured on the inner surfaces of said body members. However, where garter attachments are secured at the inner surface of the girdle it is considered preferable that the panels be secured on the inner surfaces of the body members.

While the present invention has been illustrated with respect to a panty girdle, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and applications of the novel features of the invention and the principles embodied by said novel features may be used in the manufacture of ordinary girdles, bathing suits, and other garments.

Also, it will be understood that while I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and certain details of construction, the invention may be embodied othehrwise than as here shown. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the specific construction illustrated or described except as may be required by the appended claims and the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A foundation garment comprising, a main body encircling and compressive member made of elastic material and having greater stretching ability circumferentially thereof than vertically thereof, and a panel having greater stretching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof extending circumferentially of said body member in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer and having greater resistance to stretch circumferentially than said main body member and having a configuration such that the combined effect of said body member and panel provide said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction approximating the direction of action of the wearers muscles on said regions of the body, said main body encircling member and said panel comprising two sections extending in opposite directions from a central vertical line at the front of the garment, over the hips, to a central vertical line at the back of the garment, said two sections being stitched to each other by front and rear central vertical lines of stitching at said front and rear vertical lines, respectively, of the garment.

2. A foundation garment comprising, amain body encircling and compressive member made of elastic material and having greater stretching ability circumferen' tially thereof than vertically thereof, and a panel secured to said body member on the inside surface thereof, said panel extending circumferentially of said body ,member in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer and having greater stretching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof and having a configuration such that the combined effect of said body member and panel provide said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction approximating the direction of action of the wearers muscles on said regions of the body, said main body encircling member and said panel comprising two sections extending in opposite directions from a central vertical line at the front of the garment, over the hips, to a central vertical line at the back of the garment, said two sections being stitched to each other by front and rear central vertical lines of stitching at said front and rear vertical lines, respectively, of the garment.

3. A foundation garment comprising, a main body encircling and compressive member made of elastic material and having greater stretching ability circumferentially thereof than vertically thereof, a panel secured to said body member on the inside surface thereof along upper and lower circumferential seams, said panel extending circumferentially of said body members in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer and having greater stretching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof and having a configuration such that the combined effect of said body member and panel provide said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction approximating the direction of action of the wearers muscles on said regions of the body, and garter attachments secured to said garment adjacent said lower seam, said main body encircling member and said panel comprising two sections extending in opposite directions from a central vertical line at the front of the garment, over the hips, to a central vertical line at the back of the garment, said two sections'being stitched to each other by front and rear central vertical lines of stitching at said front and rear vertical lines, respectively,of the garment.

4. A foundation garment comprising, a main body encircling and compressive member having downwardly extending leg portions and having greater stretching ability circumferentially thereof than vertically thereof, and a panel secured to said body member above said leg portions, said panel extending circumferentially of said body member in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer and having greater stret'ching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof andhaving a configuration such that the combined effect of said body member and panel provide said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction approximating the direction of action of the wearers muscles on said regions of the body, said main body encircling member and said panel comprising two sections extending in opposite directions from a central vertical line at the front of the garment, over the hips, to a central vertical line at the back of the garment, said two sections being stitched to each other by front and rear central vertical lines of stitching at said front and rear vertical lines, respectively, of the garment.

5. A foundation garment comprising a main body encircling and compressive member made of elastic material and having greater stretching ability circumferentially thereof than vertically thereof, and a panel secured to said body member, said panel extending circumferentially of said body member in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer and having greater stretching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof and having a configuration such that the combined efiect of said body member and panel provide said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction approximating the direction of action of the rectus abdominus muscles, the oblique external muscles of the abdomen and the gluteus maximus muscles of the wearer whereby said garment is complementary to and compatible with the action of said muscles on said regions of the body, said main body encircling member and said panel comprising two sections extending in opposite directions from a central vertical line at the front of the garment, over the hips, to a central vertical line at the back of the garment, said two sections being'stitched to each other by front and rear central vertical lines of stitching at said front and rear vertical lines, respectively, of the garment.

6. A garment of the class described, comprising a body encircling and compressive girdle adapted to overlie the wearers abdomen, hips and buttocks and thighs, said girdle being formed of complementary parts stitched to each other along vertical, front and rear medial lines, said girdle comprising elastic compressive material and having upper front and side portions which extend rearwardly from said front medial line of the girdle and over the region corresponding to that of the hips of the wearer when said garment is on the wearer and portions which are continuous with said upper side portions and which extend to said rear medial line of the girdle downwardly over the region corresponding to that of buttocks of the wearer, said girdle having lower front and side portions below said first mentioned side portions, said upper front and side portions having a greater compressive elasticity laterally of the wearer than said lower side portions of the girdle and coacting with said buttock portions to provide an upwardly acting resilient support for the wearers buttocks, said girdle compresing two sections secured to each other by vertical seams at said front and rear vertical lines.

7. A garment of the class described, comprising a body encircling compressive girdle adapted to overlie the wearers abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks, said girdle comprising elastic compressive material and having a front portion, upper side portions which extend rearwardly from said front portion of the girdle and over the region corresponding to that of the hips of the wearer when said garment is on the wearer and portions which are continuous with said upper side portions and which extend downwardly over the region corresponding to that of the buttocks of the wearer, said girdle having lower side portions below said first mentioned side portions, said upper side portions having a greater compressive elasticity laterally of the wearer than said lower side portions of the girdle and coacting with said buttock portions to provide an upwardly acting resilient support for the wearers buttocks, said front portion of said girdle having a part which is continuous with said upper side portions and which overlies the wearers abdomen, said upper side portions of the girdle coacting with said front part to provide an upwardly acting resilient force thereon when the garment is on the wearer, said girdle comprising two sections secured to each other by front and rear central vertical seams.

8. A garment of the class described, comprising a body encircling compressive girdle adapted to overlie the wearers abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks, said girdle comprising elastic compressive material and having an upper front portion, upper side portions which extend rearwardly in opposite directions, respectively, from said upper front portion of the girdle and over the region corresponding to that of the hips of the wearer, and portions which extend downwardly from said portions, respectively, over the region corresponding to the buttocks of the wearer, said girdle having lower side portions below said first mentioned side portions, said upper side portions having a greater compressive elasticity laterally of the wearer than said lower side portions of the girdle and coating with said buttock portions to provide an upwardly acting resilient support for the wearers buttocks, said girdle comprising two sections secured to each other by front and rear central vertical scams.

9, A foundation garment comprising, a main body encircling and compressive member made of elastic material and having greater stretching ability circumferentially "thereof than vertically thereof, said main body portion comprising two sections stitched together along front and back vertical medial seams extending downwardly from the waist-line of the girdle, and a panel sej-curedto said body member on the inside surface thereof by said vertical seams and by vertically spaced circumferentiallyextendingseams, said panel extending circumferentially of said body member in the region corresponding to that of the abdomen, hips and buttocks when said garment is on the wearer, andhaving greater stretching ability vertically thereof than circumferentially thereof and 'havinggreater resistance to stretch circumferentially than saidmain body member, said portions of said panel whichextend over the hip region being shorter in the longitudinal extent thereof than either said portions of said panel extending over the abdomen or buttocks region thereof, the combined effect of said body member and said panel providing said foundation garment with lines of tension and stretch running in a direction axproximating the direction of action of the wearers mus cles on said region of the body.

10. A garment of the class described, comprising a parity-girdle having an elastic compressive action circumferentially of the wearer, said panty-girdle comprising two sections secured to each other along a vertical medial lineat the front and along a vertical median line at the back of the girdle, and elastic fabric laminated with the abdomen and buttocks portions of the girdle and with the upper front and side portions of the girdle which extend over the hip portions thereof for exerting tension on each of said buttocks portions of the girdle, while on the wearer, in a direction extending upwardly of the back of the girdle and laterally away from the medial vertical line at the back of the girdle.

11. A garment of the class described, comprising a panty-girdle having an elastic compressive action circumferentially of the wearer, said panty-girdle comprising two sections secured to each other along a vertical medial line at the front and along a vertical medial line at the backof the girdle, and elastic fabric laminated with the abdomen and buttocks portions of the girdle and with the upper-side portions of the girdle which extend over the hip portions thereof for exerting tension on each of said buttocks portions of the girdle, while on the wearer, in a direction extending upwardly of the back of the girdle and laterally away from the medial vertical line at the back of the girdle, said last mentioned fabric having front and back parts extending upwardly from the crotch of the girdle to the waist line of the garment and upper side parts extending laterally between the upper portions onlyof said frontand back parts, said laminated portions of the girdle being less stretchable laterally of the wearer than the side portions of the girdle below said upperside parts of said fabric.

12. A foundation garment of the class described, comprising, a body encircling member made of elastic fabric, panels disposed at the front and back of the garment at the inner side thereof, and garter attachments secured to said panels above the lower edge of said body encircling member at the groin region thereof, whereby the pull exerted by said attachments on said garment obviates discomfort to the wearer thereof.

13. A foundation garment of the class described comprising, a panty girdle having downwardly extending leg portions, panels positioned internally of the girdle at the upper front and rear parts thereof and having greater resistance to stretch circumferentially of the girdle therein vertically thereof and garter attachments secured to said panels above said leg portions at the groin region of said garment, whereby the pull exerted by said attachments on said garmentobviates discomfort to the wearer thereof.

14. A foundation garment, comprising a body encircling member, a panel secured on the inside of said member in position to overlie the wearers abdomen and being more easily stretchable vertically than laterally, said panel having front portions free from direct securement to said body encircling member, and garter attachments secured to said front portions of said panel without direct securement to said body encircling member, said garment attachments each terminating in an end part adapted for attachment to a hose, said end part being disposed above the lower edge of said body encircling member whereby said garter attachments are located on the innerside of said garment for the entire extent thereof-in order to prevent the formation of visible garter bulges on an outer garment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,900 Wipperman Sept. 14, 1937 2,522,375 Jones Sept. 12, 1950 2,582,166 Rosner Ian. 8, 1952 2,632,165 Murdock Mar. 24, 1953 2,634,417 Kaplan Apr. 14, 1953 2,803,822 Doyle Aug. 27, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,106,002 France July 13, 1955 1,123,394 France "June 11, 1956 

